MAD by Ambrose Bierce (1870)
Mad is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1879. The story follows the life of a man named Mr. Harkaway, who becomes insane after his wife and daughter are killed in a train accident. The narrative explores themes of grief, loss, and mental illness, as Harkaway descends into madness and is institutionalized. Despite its somber tone, the story is notable for its use of irony and satire, as Bierce critiques societal attitudes towards mental health and the treatment of the mentally ill.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Satire, Horror, Short Stories · 330 words
First lines
O ye who push and fight To hear a wanton sing -- Who utter the delight That has the bogus ring, --
O men mature in years, In understanding young, The membranes of whose ears She tickles with her tongue, --
What this Textopian page supports
MAD is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Horror, Short Stories, Fiction
- Length: 330 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for MAD by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering MAD?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Oil Of Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
- A Seasonable Joke by Ambrose Bierce
- The Belly And The Members by Ambrose Bierce
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- The Discontented Malefactor by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is well-known for his use of satire, making fun of serious subjects to criticize or ridicule human follies and shortcomings.
- Horror — Bierce's writing often dwells on themes of horror and the darker aspects of the human experience.
- Short Stories — MAD is a collection of short stories, showcasing Bierce's skill in this literary form.
- Fiction — Even though Bierce uses satire to critique real-world issues, his narratives are fictional rather than fact-based.
Tags
dark humor · satire · absurdity · fantasy · surrealism · parody · social commentary · political satire · gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · psychological thriller